Lanceford Bramblet Wilkes was more commonly known as L. B. Wilkes.
(Note: His first name is spelled "Lansford" or "Lanceford" in TheMillennial Harbinger, edited by
Alexander
Campbell and
W. K. Pendleton
respectively.) Wilkes was a significant leader in the American
restoration movement of the latter half of the 19th century. According
to the premier historian of the restoration movement, Earl I. West,
Wilkes was born in Maury County Tennessee on March 27, 1824. He died May
1, 1901.

His family moved to Missouri when L. B. was five, and there he grew up.
He was exposed to the gospel as proclaimed by J. M. Wilkes and J. H.
Haden, and was immersed by Wilkes in the James River near Springfield,
Missouri in August of 1848 at the age of twenty-four.

The following year he entered Bethany College, but under the persuasion
of Haden, he soon returned to Missouri and ultimately graduated from
State University there. West described Wilkes as follows:

"Wilkes was of sallow complexion, with light hair and blue eyes,
weighing one hundred sixty pounds. ... He possessed a well-disciplined
mind richly stored with great knowledge which probably made him a great
candidate for an editor's post on the Apostolic Times while plans
were yet in their formative stages" (West II.74).

The illustrious names associated with the Apostolic Times clearly
shows the high esteem in which the forty-five year old Wilkes was held
when the paper made its debut in 1869. He was linked with such notables
as: Moses E. Lard,
J.
W. McGarvey,
W. H. Hopson, and
Robert Graham.

In a series of articles that appeared in Moses Lard's journal, Lard's
Quarterly, Wilkes demonstrated his careful perception of biblical
information, a skilled reasoning ability, and an awareness of radical
critical philosophies. He did not shrink from meeting error and
employing his unusual abilities to demolish it.

Between March 1864, and October 1864, the following Wilkes' articles
appeared in Moses Lard's Quarterly.

A Review of Thomas Munnell's, "Do the Unimmersed Commune?" (1.300ff).
A Second Response to Munnell (II.38ff).
Unclean Spirits and Demons (II.288ff).
Creeds (III.155ff).
Renan (III.320ff).
The Three Modes (IV.64ff)
Union of Church and State (IV.123ff
"It Is the Power" (IV.381ff).

Like so many of the "restorationists," Wilkes could write with a
sweetness of spirit combined with a sprinkling of pepper. For example,
in his second review of Munnell's ideology, namely that the unimmersed
are entitled to communion, Wilkes wrote:

"The same fine spirit and high Christian bearing that characterized his
former article are found in this. I am inclined to think, therefore,
that, if no good has been done by the previous discussion, no evil is
likely to ensue. But I hope much good will result to us for our work of
faith and labor of love." Then later: "Could I see my brother face to
face, I should chide him a bit for some naughty things his piece
contains" (1864. 38-39).

Wilkes greatly endeared himself to the pioneers of the restoration
movement by a series of discussions with the renowned Methodist debater,
Jacob Ditzler. One of these debates, conducted in Louisville, Kentucky,
was published (1871). As West noted: It "shows Wilkes' scholarship,
thoroughness and greatness" (II.74).

L. B. Wilkes also excelled as an educator. He and his friend,
W. H. Hopson conducted a Female Academy at
Palmyra, Missouri. He also was appointed president of Christian College
in Missouri on July 4th, 1856.

He did local preaching work in Hannibal, Missouri and in Springfield,
Illinois. He likewise was effective as an evangelist in gospel meetings.
A report under the caption, "News From The Churches," in a contribution
made by J. J. Errett of Clarksville, Missouri, dated August 7th, 1855,
this statement was made:

"I send you herewith an item of news in regard to the success of the
gospel in this (Pike) county, during the last four weeks. At Louisiana
there were 3 additions; at Clarkesville 25; at Paynerville 55. Bro. L.
B. Wilkes, of Palmyra was the chief speaker...." (Errett, 599).

Interestingly, there once was a brief exchange between Wilkes and the
illustrious
W. K. Pendleton, twice
son-in-law of Alexander Campbell, and successor
principally to the Campbell legacy at Bethany. Pendleton, who had
assumed the editorship of The Millennial Harbinger in 1864, had
made a statement that contained this sentiment: "Piety is more than
orthodoxy, and in many places churches are more defective in right doing
than in right thinking."

Wilkes was provoked at the statement and responded: "Let me call the
attention of Bro. Pendleton to an item in the foregoing extract. He
says, Piety is more than orthodoxy...How is it more? Is it more
important? Of the two infinities, it can not be said that one is greater
than the other. Of two essentials it ought not to be said that one is
greater than the other...." (Wilkes, 1869, 396).

Pendleton took offense at the admonition, and wrote a significant
response, protesting that Wilkes had misunderstood the nature of his
remark. Whether he had or not is an open question.

It is well-known among students of the restoration movement that
Pendleton pioneered some of the innovative ideas that led to a
degeneration of the movement and eventually resulted in the split that
undermined a previously united effort. In an article in the November,
1866 issue of TheHarbinger, Pendleton repudiated the
long-standing restoration principle that biblical silence regarding a
practice is prohibitive (see: West, 69). Authority is required for a
practice; silence is not permissive.

Wilkes wrote a book titled, Moral Evil, which was published in
1892 by the Christian Publishing Company of St. Louis.

An example of Wilkes' deep level of spirituality is found in Earl West's
Search for the Ancient Order, as Wilkes describes the prayer of
Jacob Creath on a Sunday morning in 1854, as the two, after a night of
showers, had a private devotional in a wooded area near Lagrange,
Missouri. Here is a brief excerpt:

"Here beneath the tall trees, the air full of the music of glad birds
and redolent with the odors of thousands of flowers, all praising God,
brother Creath said, 'Let us pray.' We fell on our knees and O such a
prayer! The earth had drunk up her rain and all nature seemed to be
refreshed and happy. Every leaf and flower and bird and being in nature
seemed to be striving its utmost to magnify God." (1.124).

In his mature years (likely around 1880), due to family health problems,
Wilkes migrated to California and settled in Stockton, close to his
brother Peter, who I believe was an attorney. These men were significant
influences in the Stockton church.

On the evening of May 1, 1901, the Stockton newspaper, The Daily
Record, had this front page notice:

"REV. WILKES DEAD. Well Known and Highly Respected Citizen Passes Away
at 1 O'Clock This Morning." The article goes on to report that after a
lingering illness, L. B. Wilkes, who had resided in Stockton for more
than twenty years, quietly expired. He was described as "prominent in
theological circles, having been a minister of the Christian church
until ill health caused his retirement, and even then he continued to
take an active interest" in the affairs of the church. He was depicted
as "an exceptionally well read man" who "had a way of expressing his
opinions in a manner which attracted attention.... Wilkes was a man
respected by all who knew him."

The funeral service was conducted the following afternoon at the church
building on the corner of Lindsey and California Streets in the heart of
downtown Stockton. Many of the Stockton "clergy" attended the service
out of respect for Wilkes.

The Wilkes family plot is in Stockton, California's old "Rural
Cemetery." The lane to the cemetery is about 150 yards due east on
Harding Way from the intersection of Harding Way and California Street.
The small street, called "Cemetery Lane," runs north between a larger
cemetery and St. Joseph's Hospital. Eventually, a quarter of a mile
perhaps, this lane enters "Stockton Rural Cemetery." The cemetery is
segmented into areas by numbers, marked by bright yellow posts. The
Wilkes plot is at the north-western corner of Section 21.

The plot is slightly irregular in shape, approximately 14X14 feet,
surrounded by a small stone wall just under 2 feet high. It contains
five graves, all with the last name Wilkes: Rebecca K. (wife of L. B. -
1837-1888), Alberta (1872-1893), Cynthia H. (1801-1888), Peter S.
(1827-1900), and L. B. (1824-1901). Apparently Peter purchased the plot,
for his name is on a step leading up into the grave area.

Later portrait of L. B. Wilkes (1824-1901) from a flyaway.
Based upon the engraver's mark (Amer. Eng. Co. St. Louis),
the portrait was from the Christian-Evangelist.
- Courtesy of James L. McMillan, 12.03.2012

Location of The Grave Of L.B. Wilkes

Reference the last two
paragraphs above to note that L.B. Wilkes is buried in the Rural
Cemetery in Stockton, California. Stockton lies about 50 miles east of
San Francisco (as the crow flies), and about 45 miles due south of
Sacramento. From Sacramento, take Interstate 5 south to Stockton. In
downtown Stockton, take the Crosstown Fwy. (Hwy. 4) east. Take the S.
Stanislaus St. exit. and turn left. Heading north on S. Stanisclaus St.
you will dead end into California St. Turn right on N. California and
travel to E. Harding Way. Then turn right on E. Harding Way and then
left into Cemetery Lane. Note the info above to find the location in the
cemetery. Wilkes is buried in Section 21.

Wayne Jackson At The Grave Of L.B. Wilkes

L.B. Wilkes
1824 1901

Special Thanks: One of the
great pleasures of my life has been to know and associate with Wayne
Jackson. We met he and Betty when they visited us in New Zealand in
1990. From that time we have enjoyed our association with them, even if
from across the country. In the last year Wayne's health has suffered as he has
battled cancer. Our prayers are often on his behalf. He is a great
soldier of the cross. In February, 2008, I was contacted by Wayne to say
he was willing to help me put a website together honoring the life and
work L.B. Wilkes. As Wilkes ended his time on earth in Stockton,
California, it was a great favor to students of the RM to get his
assistance. I want to greatly thank Wayne for taking time to put
together a wonderful biographical sketch, as well as visit the grave of
L.B. Wilkes. Also, special thanks are extended to Julia Jenson for
assisting Wayne by taking the photos of the grave you see here.